Stop drip



P 23, 1969 E. G. STEINMANN 3,467,967

STOP DRIP Filed Oct. 17, 1966 7 ff 7 Z3 z (F m ZZ' A" 23 a b if #17 l: 1

United States Patent 3,467,967 STOP DRIP Emil G. Steinmann, 5452 W. Warwick, Chicago, Ill. 60641 Filed Oct. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 587,134 Int. Cl. E03d 11/02 US. Cl. 4-68 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The embodiment of the invention disclosed in this application includes a watertight vessel in the form of an insert mounted within a toilet tank. The insert includes peripheral elements for spacing the Wall of the insert from the inner wall of the toilet tank in such a manner as to prevent sweating on the outer surface of the toilet tank. Closure means is provided to enable flush water introduced in the space between the insert and the toilet tank to be drained from the bottom portion of the toilet tank.

This invention relates generally to toilet tanks. More specifically it relates to toilet tanks incorporating antisweat and non-dripping devices.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a a toilet tank insert having self-contained means to prevent the nuisance of dripping of moisture condensed upon the outer side of a toilet tank, particularly during the summer months when the atmosphere is relatively warm while the water within the toilet tank is relatively cold, thereby causing the condensationto form upon the outer side of the tank which then drips down upon the floor and causes an unsighly appearance thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet tank insert having self-contained insulation means whereby the cold temperature of the water is not transmitted to the toilet tank, thereby preventing the condensation from the relatively warmer air to form on the outer side of the tank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet tank insert which incorporates a plurality of ribs upon its outer side which serve as spacers to separate the insert from the tank, thereby forming an air space between the tank and insert which serves as an insulation thermostatically therebetween.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet tank insert and a toilet tank in combination therewith wherein the toilet tank is provided with a drain upon its underside so as to permit the periodic draining of condensation formed upon the outer side of the insert during operation.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a toilet tank insert which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and :fiicient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing, wherein FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown partly in cross section to show the interior construction thereof,

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail the numeral 10 represents a toilet tank insert according to the present invention wherein there is a one-piece member comprising a vessel for holding water and which includes a flat bottom wall 11, parallel opposite side walls 12 and parallel opposite end walls 13. The upper edges of the side and end walls form an opening 14 which communicates with an interior compartment 15 within which a quantity of water 16 may be held.

The insert 10 is made preferably from a waterproof material such as cloth or velvet that is treated to accomplish the same or it may be made from plastic or the like.

Upon the outer sides and the bottom of the insert, there are a plurality of ribs 17 which extend outwardly a relatively short distance and which serve as spacers. The ribs 17 are in abutment with the side walls 18 and bottom wall 19 of a toilet tank 20' into which the insert has been placed.

A plurality of openings 21 and 22 are provided in the bottom wall 11, the opening 11 serving as an access for a water entry pipe and the opening 22 serving as an access for a drain extending therethrough.

It is thus evident when the insert is placed within the toilet tank that an air space 23 is formed between the sides and bottom of the tank and insert, thus providing a thermo-insulation therebetween to prevent transfer of the water temperature to the tank 20.

In operative use, the insert is merely fitted into the tank and the conventional plumbing attached through the openings 21 and 22, so as to make them watertight. In such condition the outer surface of the water tank will have the temperature of the relatively warmer room and no condensation will form thereupon.

While a certain amount of air is. contained within the toilet tank, it is evident that moisture will be extracted therefrom and condensed upon the outer side of the insert, such moisture dropping into the bottom of the tank 20. Accordingly, a drain opening 24 may be provided at the bottom of the tank 20 so as to permit periodic draining thereof. A plug 25 may be threadingly engaged within the opening and a rubber gasket between the plug and tank will prevent any seepage of water therethrough.

I claim:

1. In combination with a toilet tank, a toilet tank insert including a vessel, said vessel having watertight means for containing a quantity of water therewithin, said vessel being positioned within said toilet tank, and said vessel having self-contained means spacing said vessel from the side, end and bottom walls of said toilet tank to prevent thermotransfer of temperature of the water contained within said insert to the tank within which said insert is contained, and drain means at the bottom of the tank for draining flush water from between said vessel and said tank during cleaning.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said insert is comprised having a bottom wall, opposite upstanding side walls and opposite upstanding end walls, said side and end walls having an upper edge defining an opening, said opening being in communication with a compartment within said insert and said compartment being for holding said water.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for preventing thermotransfer of temperature comprises a plurality of outwardly extending ribs upon the outer side of said side Walls, end walls and bottom wall of said insert, said ribs being in abutment with said side walls, end Walls and bottom Wall of said toilet tank containing said insert thereby forming an air insulation space therebetween.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said insert bottom wall is provided with a plurality of openings, one of said openings defining means for an inlet water pipe to enter said compartment and the other of said openings defining an access for an outlet Water pipe from said compartment.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said toilet tank closure means includes a drain opening, a

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,395,606 2/1946 Zinkil et a1. 468 2,832,964 5/1958 Breny 4-68 2,942,275 6/1960 Norman et aL 4-68 3,031,684 5/1962 Schuh 4-68 PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner 

